Your Ancestors Left Canada.Your Citizenship Didn't.
As of December 15, 2025, anyone with a single Canadian ancestor — no matter how far removed — is eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent. We handle the research, the paperwork, and the bureaucracy. You get the passport.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationA Legal Way Out, Written Into Your Bloodline
Claim your Canadian Citizenship Certificate — the key that proves your place in Canada.
For Americans watching the headlines with quiet dread, Canadian citizenship by descent is no longer a curiosity. It's a legal escape hatch built into your own family tree. Bill C-3, which took effect in 2025, restored citizenship to the Lost Canadians: children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (and beyond) of Canadian ancestors stripped of their birthright by an outdated first-generation cutoff. If you have an ancestor born in Canada, no matter how many generations back, you may already be Canadian. There is no language test and no residency requirement.
What you gain is more than a second passport. You gain the right to live, work, and study in one of the world's most stable democracies, access to public healthcare, visa-free travel to over 85% of the world, and the ability to pass that same protection to your own children and spouse.
Why Canadian Citizenship by Descent?
Well, why not? Canada's citizenship descent program is now among the most generous in the world.
Unlike many countries, Canada imposes no hard generational ceiling. If you were born before December 15, 2025 and a Canadian ancestor appears anywhere in your direct lineage, you are very likely already a citizen; you just need to prove it.
Most people assume tracing a Canadian ancestor and proving the chain is too difficult. With the right expertise, it almost never is.
Roots Recovered handles every step, from researching your family history, to tracking down vital records from Canadian provincial archives, coordinating the documentary package, and managing the IRCC submission. We handle the complexity so you don't have to. All applications are submitted by a Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant in accordance with Canadian law.
Our clients come to us with a family story and leave with a Canadian passport. We would love to help you do the same.
No generational limit
Qualifying ancestors born as far back as the 1730s have been accepted.
No renunciation required
Keep your existing citizenship — Canada fully permits dual nationality.
Fast processing available
Urgent applications can be completed in weeks, not years.
Pass it to your children
Once confirmed, your Canadian citizenship is yours to pass down.
How It Works
Roots Recovered, LLC can compile your Canadian citizenship by descent application and submit it on your behalf. We offer a truly hassle free, A to Z service. Here's how we do it:
Identify Your Canadian Ancestor
We research your family tree and pinpoint your "relevant Canadian ancestor," the most recent person in your direct line who was born in Canada or naturalized before the next generation arrived.
Gather Your Documents
We guide you through obtaining certified birth certificates, naturalization records, census entries, and any supporting materials needed to prove your unbroken line of descent.
Prepare Your Application
We complete the Citizenship Certificate application, organize every document, and draft explanatory notes for any name variations or gaps in the paper trail.
Submit & Track
A Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant submits your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and monitors progress until your Citizenship Certificate arrives.
What Canadian Citizenship Gives You
So much more than a passport. Canadian citizenship by descent can be a lifeline.
Live & Work in Canada
Full rights to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada — no work permit, no visa, no sponsor required.
Increased Global Mobility
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 185 countries, and one of the world's most respected travel documents.
Pass It to Your Children
Your confirmed Canadian citizenship is hereditary. Your children — born anywhere — can inherit it from you.
Healthcare & Social Benefits
Access to Canada's publicly funded healthcare system and social programs as a full citizen.
Dual Citizenship Allowed
Canada does not require you to renounce other citizenships. Keep every passport you hold.
Reconnect with Your Heritage
More than a legal status — it's a reclaiming of identity, family history, and belonging.
Canadian Citizenship by Descent: Frequently Asked Questions
Canada's citizenship law was amended in December 2025 to recognize generations of descendants who were previously cut off. If you have a Canadian-born ancestor, you may already be a Canadian citizen and not know it. This guide answers the questions our clients ask most often.
Eligibility
Documents and Evidence
The Application Itself
Processing and Timelines
After Approval
Looking Ahead
Roots Recovered, LLC specializes in citizenship by descent across Ireland, Germany, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Canada, and Portugal. Information in this FAQ reflects IRCC practice as of early 2026 and is not legal advice for any specific case.
Ready to Claim Your Canadian Citizenship?
Let us trace your roots, gather your evidence, and guide your application from start to finish. Your Canadian heritage is waiting to be confirmed.